When is a SITREP-POLS created?

A SITREP-POLS, which stands for Situation Report - Pollution, is specifically designed to provide updates regarding pollution spills, particularly in the context of larger incidents. The nature of significant environmental events, such as major spills, necessitates constant monitoring and communication about the status and developments of the situation to stakeholders, responders, and agencies involved.

By creating a SITREP-POLS, responders can detail critical information such as the extent of the spill, the immediate response actions taken, the resources deployed, and ongoing mitigation efforts. This ensures all parties are informed and can coordinate effective responses.

In contrast, creating a SITREP-POLS during the investigation of a minor incident would not be appropriate as such situations typically do not warrant the same level of reporting. Similarly, generating a report upon a ship's arrival at port or only once clean-up operations are complete does not align with the primary purpose of providing timely updates during an active pollution incident.